Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO) & Erasmus+ Alumni Promotion

On 18 July 2025, at Europe House Belgrade, the Western Balkans Alumni Association (WBAA) and partners organised a pre-departure orientation and Erasmus+ alumni promotion event, bringing together selected EMJMD students, alumni, and prospective applicants to support networking, mentorship, and mobility awareness.

Empowering Erasmus+ Alumni: Success Story from Belgrade

On 18 July 2025, the vibrant atmosphere of the Europe House in Belgrade, Serbia, welcomed more than 30 participants for an engaging and inspiring Erasmus+ Promotion and Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO) event. Organised by the Western Balkans Alumni Association (WBAA) with support from Erasmus Mundus Association (EMA), the event brought together alumni, students, future Erasmus+ beneficiaries, and key institutional stakeholders to celebrate, promote, and empower the Erasmus+ community.

Reactivating Alumni Engagement and Strengthening Networks

One of the key objectives of the event was to reconnect with Erasmus+ alumni, especially those who had been less active in recent years, and to encourage their renewed engagement in alumni networks. Furthermore, the gathering served as an informal chapter meeting for WBAA Serbia and is expected to boost new membership sign-ups in the coming days.

High-Level Institutional Support

The event opened with welcoming remarks by Ms Elvira-Maria Angulo Rodriguez, Head of Operations at the EU Delegation in Serbia, Ms Vedrana Marković from Foundation Tempus (the National Erasmus+ Office), and Mr Milan Stojanović, WBAA Regional Board Member and EMA Country Representative. Their presence reinforced the importance of collaboration between alumni, institutions, and EU stakeholders in further promoting the Erasmus+ programme and its alumni networks.

Erasmus+ Experience Sharing Panels

The core of the event featured three dynamic panel sessions, each dedicated to a specific Erasmus+ action. Speakers included alumni from:

• Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees EMJMD (Ana Mijatović, Lazar Đoković, and Strahinja Stojnić),
• Erasmus Student Traineeships (Vuk Trnavac and Dušan Krstić),
• Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (Dejan Galovski from N. Macedonia),
• Erasmus Youth Exchanges (Mladen and Mihailo Mitić),
• International Erasmus Mundus students in Serbia (Dina El Miari, currently studying Biomedical Engineering).

Each panel concluded with an interactive Q&A session, sparking curiosity and engagement from the audience.

Opportunities for Involvement in Alumni Networks

The final part of the formal programme focused on how Erasmus+ beneficiaries can continue their involvement post-mobility. Milan Stojanović presented opportunities to volunteer with WBAA and EMA, share their stories, and lead community initiatives. Participants who had not yet joined Erasmus+ alumni platforms were introduced to the benefits of being part of these networks and received practical guidance on how to sign up.

Meaningful Connections and Future Plans

Following the formal programme, participants engaged in informal networking over refreshments. New connections were formed, stories exchanged, and ideas for future collaborations emerged organically.

The event generated extremely positive feedback and exceeded expectations, leading the EU Delegation to express interest in organising another similar activity by the end of the year.

Serbia, Novi Sad, 30 July 2025
Milan Stojanović
Edited by the Erasmus+ Support Service Team